EWR have not been transparent about Freight during consultation.
They have avoided the subject and continue to be evasive.
EWR have not been transparent about Freight during consultation. They have avoided the subject and continue to be evasive. This is despite:
- Strategic National rail infrastructure projects MUST include Freight
- Network Rail predict an increase in Freight of 3% p.a. equalling 35% by 2030
- England Economic Heartland predicting capacity of “up to more than 20” Freight trains per day.
- EEH also recommend the maximum specification for EWR to support heavy freight (W12)
- Diesel will be required for the foreseeable future
Freight was not consulted on and the impacts of it have not been studied or communicated.
The route cost optimisations made concessions on gradient that are not conducive to heavy freight. This has not been back checked or verified by EWR.
The use of Freight must be publicly disclosed and the cost to the environment and residential areas must be assessed openly communicated.